New Linksys Range Extender

How does the device decide where to connect?

[SEOMike]

I recently purchased a wireless repeater to extend the range of my wireless network. I sure like to work out on the deck when it's nice out and got crappy signal out there. I bought a Linksys WRE54G range expander so I'd have better coverage outside. During the setup process, the range expander was setup to look just like wireless router. (same SSID and WEP). When / how does my laptop know to switch between the router and the repeater? It seems pretty seamless as I have full service out on the deck and full service in the basement next to the router. This seems pretty slick to me and I'd like to know if anyone has any idea how this works so well.

Thanks in advance.

[coopster]

I was just looking for a new wireless solution myself and was reading up on *range extenders* from Linksys yesterday. The old WAP I'm running is either so propietary or so old that I am unable to use my newer laptops to connect with any type of Wired Equivalent Privacy. I figured instead of playing around with this solution any longer I might as well look in to replacement technologies. A search on the forums brought up this unanswered thread so I thought I'd give 'er a bump and see if anybody else is traveling the same road.

Has anybody else implemented the *newer* Linksys wireless technology to include the repeaters and/or the new Speed and Range EXpansion (SRX) technology? If so, what other issues have you had? SEOMike, were you able to find resolution here?

[jdMorgan]

The simplest answer would be that the laptop simply looks for the strongest signal. Since signal strength varies as the square of the distance between transmitter and receiver, a signal source twice as distant appears four times weaker. In order to prevent 'hunting' a bit of hysteresis is added so that once connected, the laptop won't switch between equally-strong signals unless the new signal is, say, 25% stronger than the old signal, and remains so for, say, 10 seconds. IOW, it 'sticks' with the established-connection signal until the 'newer' signal coming into range becomes compellingly stronger.

This is the same kind of process as used for cellular telephones, so that your phone switches seamlessly from one tower to the next as you travel, but doesn't switch back and forth repeatedly between two equidistant towers.

Jim

[coopster]

Makes sense.

I called Linksys and spoke to a sales rep regarding which endpoints are required with the SRX technology -- router/access point and/or interface. Seeing as most laptops sold today include a wireless card I was curious. "One or both" was the reply. "Both provides the ultimate speed" of course was the official response.

I would love to see the differences if one had the interface card as well, but since I will already have an interface option in the laptop I won't be dishing out the extra money just to find out. I'm sure the speed will be fine without it. Anybody else have any experience?